Miss Ireland 2009

Pictured at Miss Ireland were: 1. Mr Ireland Kamal Ibrahim & outgoing Miss Ireland Sinead Noonan; 2. Michelle Heaton & Louise Osborne; 3. Winner of Miss Ireland 2009 Laura Patterson & Miss Ireland pageant Chairman, Krishna Naidoo. Pics. Joe Keogh.


All hail the Queen! Laura Patterson, 19, who became Miss Derry only one month ago, was crowned Miss Ireland on Saturday night at an electric gala in the luxurious surroundings of the Royal Marine Hotel in Dublin. The newly crowned Miss Ireland will travel to South Africa to represent her country. No stranger to that continent however, Laura once trekked across the Sahara Desert.

In a tightly contested competition of beauty and brains, the law and accounting student of University Ulster edged ahead of runners up Tania Zorilla (Miss Dublin East) and Terrie McEvoy (Miss University) on the strength of her answers and shining personality.

Total Xposure contestants Daniella Moyles and Stuart McQuitty, two inexperienced presenters, were on MC duty for the evening. Unfortunately they both seemed more nervous that the girls they were interviewing and demonstrated why neither of them bagged the Xpose presenting gig.

Make A Wish

Among those at the lunch were: 1. Victoria Smurfit & Taryn Casey; 2. Sarah Williams & Gaelle Lassabliere; 3. Carol Moffit, Kevin Dundon & Marie Durkan. Pics. Richie Stokes.


Make-A-Wish Foundation hosted its annual ladies lunch on last Friday at The Restaurant at Donnybrook Fair. Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon held a cooking demonstration for over 60 ladies and afterwards they proceeded to the dining room for a tasty lunch, compèred by beautiful actress Victoria Smurfit.

Ireland’s premiere swing and lounge band “Velvet Lounge Band” entertained the ladies throughout the afternoon. All the glam guests such as Laura Bermingham, Triona McCarthy and Caroline Harrington left the event with a jam packed goodie bag.

Much need funds were raised and as a result a few more wishes will come through!

Ireland AM is 10!

Pictured at the Ireland AM party were: 1. Sinead Desmond, Adrienne Campion & Mark Cagney; 2. Amanda Byram & Alan Hughes; 3. Cathy O’Connor, Ann Marie Gannon & Laura Bermingham. Pics. Brian McEvoy.

Ireland's favourite TV Show - Ireland AM - celebrated its 10th birthday this week with presenters past and present, along with some well known faces who have contributed to the show throughout the years.

A gala episode to mark the 10th anniversary aired with a glamorous breakfast garden party held at TV3 studios. All the regular hosts were there was a special appearance by the first lady to ever anchor the show - Amanda Byram – who was also back on the sofa!

This special anniversary show gave a unique look behind the scenes of Ireland AM, and viewers got the chance to see the faces behind the desks and behind the cameras who help to bring the show to their screens five days a week.

Irish TV viewers have been waking up to Ireland AM since September 1999 and since its launch the show has enjoyed phenomenal growth and popularity as Ireland's first live television breakfast show and is now firmly established as a favourite with families throughout the country.

The shows' popularity was demonstrated when Ireland AM was voted 'Ireland's Favourite TV show' at both the 2008 and 2009 TV Now Awards. Over its 10 year lifetime, Ireland AM has grown from an audience of 6,000 viewers in 1999 to a current high of 170,000 viewers every day.

Stephen's Green charity lunch

At the Stephen’s Green charity lunch: 1. Paul Harrington & Karen Koster; 2. Mairead Egan & Alana Sheehan; 3. Elaine Prendeville. Pics. Brian McEvoy.


Glamorous Xpose presenter Karen Koster and drag queen Miss Candy hosted the Annual Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre International Charity Lunch and Fashion Show in aid of The Rape Crisis Centre last week in Wilde – The Restaurant at The Westbury Hotel.

Now in its 14th year, and a firm fixture in Dublin’s social calendar, the event was sponsored by top style destination Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre this year. Over 120 of the “who’s who” of the social scene were served an exquisite five course lunch along with fine wines.

The event commenced with a champagne reception in the Marble Bar, before guests entered Wilde which was a floral masterpiece, created by Dublin’s leading floral stylists Appassionata Flowers. The fashion show featured Autumn/Winter collections from leading labels at the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, styled by Elaine Prendeville, Editor of Irish Tatler magazine.

Musician & Songwriter Paul Harrington and Bill Shanley entertained guests into the afternoon while attendees were treated to a goody bag worth over €250 each, including a bottle of Jameson reserve. The event raised in excess of €30,000 for The Rape Crisis Centre.

Caroline Desmond, designer Dawn Fitzgerald, Niall O’Farrell, Haley Rock, Jenny Lee Masterson and Morah Ryan were among the guests.

40 Foot

At the 40 Foot: 1. Lynn Kelly & Sarah Kavanagh; 2. Rebecca Haughton & Kate Buckley; 3. Jessica Abrahams, Kate Marshall & Caroline Cullen. Pics.: Brian McEvoy.

Models Georgia Salpa, Nadia Forde and Sarah Kavanagh and ex Miss Universe Ireland Lynn Kelly were some of the first to celebrate with new proprietors Lorcan and Cian O’Rourke as they opened the doors of the 40 Foot at the weekend after months of construction and a multi million euro investment.

The official opening of the 40 Foot and new club Privé will take place in October but as the sun drenched Dublin’s fair city the glamorous SoCoDu set flocked to the 40 Foot (widely anticipated to be the next celebrity hot spot).

On the site of the old Pavillion Theatre which offered generations of Dubliners everything from Charlie Chaplin to the Nutcracker Suite, the 40 Foot is a landmark in Dun Laoghaire and boasts great views of the harbour. The inspiration for the 13,000 square foot venue came from the Meatpackers District of New York using the structure of the building as an integrated part of the interior.

A 4,500 square foot heated terrace and smoking area is a big highlight for the 40 Foot bar and this follows through to exclusive new club, Privé upstairs with its 1,500 square foot fully heated balcony which wraps around the building offering spectacular views and the most unique alfresco smoking area to be found anywhere in Dublin or beyond. Privé is due to open in October and is a heady mix of opulence and decadence with beds to lounge on, a private members bar, a big cocktail list and a private lift to the underground car park.

Sa-wish!

Finlandia Finnishing School

At the Finlandia event were: 1. Caroline and Rachel Byrne; 2. Bernie Divilly and Shilpa Ganatra; 3. Aisling Brennan and Paul Trainer. Pics.: Richie Stokes.

Cocktail fans were out in force to sample some delicious concoctions prepared by world renowned mixologists The Soulshakers at an exclusive Finlandia vodka cocktail party in The Sky Suite of The Radisson Hotel, which was hosted by The Dubliner magazine.

The Soulshakers were in town to officially launch the 2009 Finlandia Vodka Cup and Finnishing School which offers bar staff hints and tips on how to make a really good cocktail as well as gaining a better knowledge of the biggest spirits category in Ireland.

The Soulshakers, a London based team of bar consultancy experts who advise bars on everything from their layout, drinks and cocktail menus and how best to optimise their profitability, run the Finlandia Finnishing Schools which are open to all bartenders and mixologists.

Bartenders who register to take part in the Finlandia Finnishing School are also invited to show off their mixing skills by competing in Ireland’s 12th Finlandia Vodka Cup (FVC). Regional heats for the FVC will follow each Finnishing School in Cork on Monday 2nd November, Galway on Tuesday 3rd November and in Dublin on Thursday 5th November, followed by a national final at the end of November. The FVC is the only blind-judged cocktail competition in Ireland and drinks are judged on appearance, aroma and taste only, rather than on flair.

Bollinger Champagne Best Hat

At the Bollinger suite at The Curragh were: 1. Cera Ward; 2. Gillian Kelleher; 3. Rachel Kavanagh with winner Emer Lynch. Pics.: Conor Healy.

Racing for Classic glory wasn’t the only contest on offer on The Irish Field St Leger Day at the Curragh last weekend. The Bollinger Champagne Best Hat competition saw many of the well dressed female racegoers put their best Hat forward in a bid to win the title of Bollinger Best Hat 2009 judged by actress Rachel Kavanagh.

A group of 6 ladies made it to the final and battled it out to try for the year’s supply of Bollinger Champagne on offer, with each of the fashion finalists receiving goodie bags packed full of luxuries and pampering treats. Ahead of the game though was Emer Lynch from Tara, Co. Meath who won with a winning hat which she had made at home herself.

Judge Rachel Kavanagh was impressed with the quality of entrants: “It was so hard to choose the winner as all the finalists had fabulous headwear but Emer really did stand out from the crowd and deserves her prize, especially a homemade hat in the current financial climate.”

Elev8

At the Elev8 party: 1. Ailbhe O’Reilly & Kathy Ann O’Cleirigh; 2. Derrick Carberry, Cathy O’Connor & Keith Cullen; 3. Adrian O’Keeffe & Lisa Brady. Pics. Marc O’Sullivan.

Elevate PR celebrated its eighth birthday recently with Elev8 – a summer fun fair party.
Guests could print their own t-shirt or poster created by www.theoldrectory.ie who also designed the invite and bespoke bunting for the event.

The Elevate team, clients and media enjoyed Grey Goose Vodka cocktails and delicious food courtesy of The Vaults.

Fun fair games included a lucky dip and coconut shy. Thankfully the rain held off!

3 & Samsung host White Party

At the 3 / Samsung party were: 1. Norman Pratt & Naomi Clarke; 2. Lyn Pagi, Hanna Devane & Dearbhla Louli; 3. Danielle Linekar & Ruth O’Neill. Pics. Brian McEvoy.


The rare September sunshine brought Ireland's glitterati out in force on Wednesday for the 3 & Samsung Cara White Party hosted in private club Residence on. The exclusive bash marked the launch of the chic new Samsung Cara White available exclusively on the 3 network in Ireland.

Following her Italian wedding to soccer legend Gary Lineker last week, radiant guest of honour Danielle Lineker (neé Bux) was delighted to don another white frock embracing the theme of the evening in a show stopping white Temperly ensemble.

Xpose's new presenter Sean Munsanje looked refreshed after a break in the South of France and was delighted to have a night on the town with his co-hosts Lisa Cannon, Aisling O'Loughlin and Glenda Gilson before his debut on Monday evening.

Indeed Glenda was spotted sharing style tips with Danielle Lineker and discovered they share some common ground in their modelling careers with both beauties starting out as Hawaiian Tropic stunners! Glenda also revealed her excitement about jetting off to London the next morning for an exclusive interview with Robbie Williams on the release of his new album.

Model Louise Kavanagh stole the show in a white mini playsuit and won the accolade of best dressed in white along with a trip for two to Nikki Beach in Marbella courtesy of Samsung and 3. Other guests included former Liberty X band member Tony Lundon, publisher Michael Doherty, TV3's Debbie O'Donnell, former apprentice contestant Jennifer Maguire and Miss Universe Ireland Diana Donnelly.

Residence was transformed into an opulent white oasis which complimented a beautiful summer evening in the Capital. Guests sipped white cocktails and mojito's as stylish spinner Mo Kelly kept them entertained until the small hours.

Bacardi @ Electric Picnic

At the Bacardi VIP at Electric Picnic: 1. Claudine Palmer with her brother Ronan; 2. Jayne O’Keeffe; 3. Niamh Lynch. Pics. Kieran Harnett.

The Bacardi B-Live VIP area returned to Electric Picnic last weekend in true boutique style. Mixing skills were not just confined to those on the decks at Bacardi B-Live as some of the VIPs were entertained by Bacardi bartenders demonstrating their unique flair.

The B-Live VIP area added a legendary dash of vibrant Latin spirit to the festival and was enjoyed throughout the weekend by a host of media, artists and an array of social guests. Some of those spotted sipping cocktails included comedian Hector O hEochagain, who celebrated his 40th birthday in style with a group of friends including Tommy Tiernan; Ryan Tubridy toasted the success of his Late Late Show debut with stunning girlfriend Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain.

Over the weekend, guests including the ever stylish Claudine Palmer, comedian Sean Hughes, actress Charlene McKenna and economist David McWilliams were treated to a special barbeque cooked by chefs from Nando’s, the world famous chicken restaurant.

The highlight of the weekend undoubtedly came from Jaguar Skills, the original ninja, who, in his characteristically mysterious style, lifted the roof on Sunday with a signature genre-smashing set.

Other well known faces in the main VIP area at Electric Picnic included Kathryn Thomas, Triona McCarthy, Louis Walsh, Xpose’s Glenda Gilson, John Snow of Channel 4, Naoise Nunn of Leviathan and actors Liam Cunningham and Patrick Bergin.

Golf GTI

At the launch of the new Golf GTI were: 1. Jan McGinity & Jo Rowe; 2. SJ Wai & Darren Kennedy; 3. Aoife Clarke & Aisling O’Brien. Pics. Fennells.


This week a host of car enthusiasts, Golf GTI fanatics, rugby fans, media and VIP guests witnessed the unveiling of the new Golf GTI and GTD at an exclusive launch event held at the Pavilion, Leopardstown Racecourse.

Special guests on the night, the Leinster Rugby team, tried out the new GTI as they celebrated their recent partnership with Volkswagen before the new season kicks off.

The Leinster contingent including captain Leo Cullen, new signing Nathan Hines and outhalf Jonathan Sexton all arrived in their new Volkswagens just two days before their first competitive outing of the season against the Scarlets in the Magners League. All agreed that the recent pairing of Europe’s number one car brand with Europe’s No. 1 rugby team forms a formidable partnership.

A ‘stig styled’ Mondello stunt driver treated lucky guests on the night to a hot lap on the Leopardstown Race Track in the new GTI, while indoors guests tried out Volkswagen’s new Golf GTI scalextric track. The event featured lots of entertainment and guests were welcomed with special Volkswagen cocktails from the signature GTI to the Beetle Juice.

Some of Ireland’s top party-goers attended including Darren Kennedy, Laura Toogood, SJ Wai from the Dirty Epics, Ben Bringer and author Marisa Mackle.

Kara Tointon at The Palace

At The Palace: 1. Ronnie Duff & Kara Tointon; 2. Emma Lee & Faye Watson; 3. Claire Birmingham, Kara Tointon and Rebecca O’Rourke. Pics. Brian McEvoy.


Eastenders actress Kara Tointon popped in to The Palace nightclub in Navan recently. Best known as barmaid Dawn Swann the brunette babe has also recently launched herself as a lingerie model for designer Michelle Mone.

I’m not a big fan of TV soaps but a quick search on the internet tells me that Kara is soon to leave Albert Square. Maybe she’s looking to settle in Navan!